Tax relief proposed for Czech scientists participating in FP7
The Czech Chamber of Deputies has put forward a proposal that would see universities and public research institutes claim back the value added tax (VAT) on any equipment or substances purchased for participation in a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project. The law must be approved by the Senate of the Czech Parliament and signed by the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, before coming into force. 'This is an important step that will allow universities and [research] institutes to apply for more European projects without risking burdening their own budgets,' Czech Education Minister Dana Kuchtova told the newspaper Hospodarske noviny. VAT is considered an 'ineligible cost' by the European Commission, and is not therefore reimbursed to framework programme participants. Under the new law, FP6 participants would be able to claim for VAT paid between October and December 2006, as well as for the whole of 2007.
Countries
Czechia